MADISON, Wis. — The mayor of Madison is addressing a shooting at the city’s temporary homeless shelter for men following a shooting at the facility Monday night.
“While the investigation is still underway, it appears that officers intervened in a very serious incident that could have been much worse,” Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in a news release.
Madison police have identified Ronald E. Stephens as a suspect in the shooting. It happened around 7:30 p.m. at the shelter housed inside the city’s Fleet Services building on First Street.
Madison officers were responding to a medical call outside the building when they heard shots fired inside. One person suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
“We will be sitting down with our partners to review shelter safety and security procedures both at this temporary site and for use in planning the permanent shelter,” Rhodes-Conway said.
A Madison officer also fired their weapon while inside the building. Since an officer was reportedly involved, the state Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is handling the investigation into the shooting
Around 100 guests and staff stay at the men’s shelter. Mayor Rhodes-Conway also asked for the public to “resist the urge to equate homelessness with criminality.”
“All of us, including patrons of shelter facilities and those who staff them, have a right to sleep and work in a safe environment,” Rhodes-Conway said.
Stephens is wanted on attempted homicide charges, and may be armed and should be considered dangerous. He has not been located as of Tuesday morning.
People are asked to call 911 if they see Stephens or have information on his whereabouts.
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